Today was supposed to be a glorious day for him, but with Zi Jinling's disruption, he felt utterly humiliated.
The murmurs of the crowd, the taunts from Bai Tao and Yang Dezhi, and the scorching gazes made Zi Wenchang's anger boil.
He roared, "My unfilial daughter, return at once! Do not offend His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Zi Jinling looked utterly wronged.
All her life, Zi Wenchang had never spoken a harsh word to her. Now, in front of so many people, he berated her like this. How could she bear it?
With tear-filled eyes, she looked at Ye Yuanhao and said, "Brother Crown Prince, I'm sorry, I'll go back now!"
As Zi Jinling spoke, she turned to return to her seat.
Ye Yuanhao's heart ached. He grabbed her hand and said, "Jin'er, don't go!"
Zi Jinling looked at Zi Wenchang, her words caught in her throat. "Brother Crown Prince, Father... I'd better go back."
With that, she broke free from Ye Yuanhao's grasp and ran towards her seat without a backward glance.
Ye Yuanhao felt a slip in his hand; the person in his eyes was gone, leaving only a fallen tear in the wind.
He was momentarily dejected and walked towards the main seating area with a sense of loss.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Everyone cupped their fists in salute.
Ye Yuanhao was, after all, the Crown Prince of Tian Qi Kingdom, representing its dignity. Therefore, despite everyone present being cultivators, the proper etiquette was meticulously observed.
Ye Yuanhao returned the salute. "Everyone, no need for such formality! Please be seated, please be seated!" He was no fool and would not offend any of the esteemed guests.
The crowd expressed their thanks and returned to their seats.
Only then did Ye Yuanhao turn to Zi Wenchang and say, "Congratulations, Patriarch Zi! Please do not blame Jin'er for what just happened."
Zi Wenchang quickly fawned, "Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince! Whatever Your Highness commands, I shall obey!"
Ye Yuanhao took the seat arranged by Zi Wenchang and then whispered, "That's good. Patriarch Zi, I am very fond of Jin'er. Please have her sit beside me."
Zi Wenchang immediately agreed, "It is only right! It is only right!" He was naturally delighted for his daughter to ensnare the Crown Prince. He had been angry earlier only because Zi Jinling had thrown herself at him, which tarnished a maiden's reputation. Now, with Ye Yuanhao's direct request, how could he dare to refuse?
Thus, he secretly sent someone to call Zi Jinling over and arranged for her to sit next to Ye Yuanhao.
When Zi Jinling arrived, her eyes were already red and swollen. Of course, this was deliberate, as Ye Yuanhao liked her to appear fragile and delicate.
While Ye Yuanhao was quietly comforting Zi Jinling, Zi Yangchun, on the stage, continued, "Next, I will announce the rules of the clan competition."
"Clan competition..."
"His Highness the Underworld King has arrived!"
Zi Yangchun's voice caught in his throat again, a flicker of displeasure crossing his eyes. He even suspected that the Ye family royals were doing this deliberately.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Underworld King!"
A thunderous, synchronized shout echoed across the training grounds, even more imposing than when Ye Yuanhao had entered. After all, the Prince was a notorious killer, and who would want to court disaster?
Ye Lingyuan, clad in a purple brocade robe and with his hair tied back by a jade crown, exuded an even nobler and more ethereal aura than Ye Yuanhao. Some people were simply born to be unattainable peaks, like Ye Lingyuan. He stood there casually, naturally becoming a breathtaking sight.
The training grounds fell silent. No, except for a faint sound of cracking melon seeds from a certain spot.
Comparing him to others was like comparing the living to the dead, or trash to treasures. Those who had been infatuated with Ye Yuanhao moments ago were now even more captivated by Ye Lingyuan, then shamefacedly lowered their heads. This was true mortal beauty! This was the poetry of a gentleman, unparalleled in the world!
If they had harbored illusions of becoming concubines or consorts for Ye Yuanhao, then for Ye Lingyuan, he was someone to be admired from afar, not to be profaned. In their eyes, a celestial being like Ye Lingyuan should be enshrined in a temple.
Ye Lingyuan seemed not to hear the deafening salutations. His gaze swept through the crowd, searching for a familiar figure. When he spotted the person in an inconspicuous corner, cracking melon seeds, a captivating smile graced his lips.
That smile made the heavens and earth lose their color.
That smile could topple kingdoms.
That smile startled countless fragile hearts!
Zi Linling appeared oblivious, continuing her battle with the melon seeds.
"Rise," a voice, both gentle and aloof, rang out. If one listened carefully, they could detect a hint of human warmth within it. Of course, this warmth was for one person only.
Ye Lingyuan slowly walked to the main seating area, casually found a spot, and sat down. Then, he said, "Continue!" With that, he closed his eyes and projected his divine sense towards a certain woman.
Zi Linling frowned and transmitted, "Why are you looking at me when there's a show to watch?"
Ye Lingyuan chuckled and transmitted back, "Because you are beautiful!"
Zi Linling rolled her eyes and transmitted, "Sweet talker! I'm going to sleep!" With that, she found a comfortable position and closed her eyes.
Ye Lingyuan, with a charming smile, transmitted, "Come and sleep here with me! There are too many women here, and if the Moonlit Glaze acts up, it won't be good!" The latter part, though seemingly an explanation, was merely an excuse to get closer to her. After all, as long as Zi Linling was not too far from him, the Moonlit Glaze would obediently curl up somewhere within his body.
Zi Linling was speechless and replied, "Do you think I'm as brainless as that fool Zi Jinling?" In her opinion, Zi Jinling sitting next to Ye Yuanhao in plain sight was just asking for trouble. If she didn't know they were already involved, she would have suspected Ye Yuanhao of doing it on purpose.
Zi Linling closed her eyes again, resting. She still had a tough battle ahead and needed to be in optimal condition.
Ye Lingyuan smiled and stopped transmitting. As for opening his eyes to watch the performance on stage, that was impossible. His purpose for being here had always been singular.
Zi Yangchun adjusted his composure and then announced loudly, "Clan competition rules: pairs of two, to the point of stopping. Three consecutive victories allow entry into the next round, until the top three are decided and receive their rewards."
"The reward for first place will be: one Marrow Cleansing Pill, one spiritual artifact, and five days in the Forbidden Library."
"The reward for second place will be: one Spirit Gathering Pill, one precious artifact, and three days in the Forbidden Library."
"The reward for third place will be: one Qi Guiding Pill, one precious artifact, and one day in the Forbidden Library."
"Zi family disciples, do you understand?"